Polygamists Want Questions on Faith Quashed at Water Hearing

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A polygamous sect seeking more water for its South Dakota compound wants to block discussion of its faith and member's personal details during a hearing with regulators.

An attorney for the group argues the information isn't relevant to the application to the South Dakota Water Management Board.

The request that evidence regarding faith be excluded will be considered before the board addresses the group's application for more water at a hearing Thursday morning.

The group's secrecy and history have raised concerns about how many people live at the compound and whether more are coming.

Seth Jeffs, brother of imprisoned sect leader Warren Jeffs, is a key figure in the group. He says in documents that to his knowledge there aren't plans to bring in more people than wastewater permits allow.

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